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Chest 2018 Dec;154(6):e181-e185

Department of Medicine, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX. Electronic address:

Case Presentation: A 57-year-old man was admitted for 1 month of accelerating hemoptysis and hematemesis. Two weeks earlier, he first presented with fevers and hemoptysis of 2 weeks' duration and was diagnosed with community-acquired pneumonia treated with 5 days of ceftriaxone and azithromycin. He improved and was discharged, but his hemoptysis recurred 1 day after discharge and progressed over 9 days, leading to the present admission. Read More

Can J Hosp Pharm 2018 Sep-Oct;71(5):295-301. Epub 2018 Oct 31.

, BSc(Pharm), PharmD, is with Lower Mainland Pharmacy Services, Surrey British Columbia, and the Therapeutics Initiative (The University of British Columbia), Vancouver, British Columbia.

Background: The use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) may cause significant harm to patients in the residential care setting, as these patients are often frail with multiple morbidities. The extent of non-evidence-based use of PPIs in residential care sites of the Fraser Health Authority in British Columbia is unknown.

Objective: To determine the proportion of non-evidence-based use of PPI therapy for residential care patients of the Fraser Health Authority. Read More

J Natl Med Assoc 2018 Oct 23. Epub 2018 Oct 23.

Division of Gastroenterology, University of Florida/Jacksonville, Jacksonville, FL, USA; Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Augusta University-Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, GA. Electronic address:

Background And Study Aims: Barrett's Esophagus (BE) is a well-recognized pre-malignant condition. Previous data indicate histologically confirmed BE frequency varies by ethnicity in the United States. However, clinical factor assessment to explain this has only occurred in a veteran population to date. Read More

Dig Dis Sci 2018 08;63(8):2155-2162

Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard Unit 1466, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.

Barrett's esophagus is common in Western countries, but progression to esophageal adenocarcinoma is uncommon. Chemoprevention therefore needs to consider whether benefits outweigh risks given an otherwise healthy population. This will depend on the particular population at risk and the relative safety of a potential preventive agent. Read More

Gastroenterol Hepatol (N Y) 2018 Mar;14(3):169-175

Dr Khan is a third year gastroenterology fellow and Dr Howden is the Hyman Professor of Medicine and Chief of the Division of Gastroenterology at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis, Tennessee.

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) have been in use since the early 1990s and play a crucial role in the management of a number of conditions affecting the upper gastrointestinal tract, including gastroesophageal reflux disease, Barrett esophagus, eosinophilic esophagitis, and dyspepsia. PPIs also play an important role in the treatment of infection and in the prevention of upper gastrointestinal tract ulcers and bleeding among patients taking antiplatelet therapy and/or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Despite recent concerns regarding the long-term safety of PPIs, their risk-benefit profiles strongly favor their appropriate use in patients who have genuine indications for them. Read More

Gastroenterology 2018 04 8;154(5):1209-1214. Epub 2018 Mar 8.

Division of Gastroenterology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois. Electronic address:

World J Gastroenterol 2017 Sep;23(33):6077-6087

Esophageal and Lung Institute, Allegheny Health Network, Pittsburgh, PA 15224, United States.

Aim: To efficiently replicate the biology and pathogenesis of human esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) using the modified Levrat model of end-to-side esophagojejunostomy.

Methods: End-to-side esophagojejunostomy was performed on rats to induce gastroduodenoesophageal reflux to develop EAC. Animals were randomly selected and serially euthanized at 10 (n = 6), 17 (n = 8), 24 (n = 9), 31 (n = 6), 38 (n = 6), and 40 (n = 6) wk postoperatively. Read More

Pol Przegl Chir 2017 Aug;89(4):29-32

Department of Surgery and Endoscopy Faculty of postgraduate medical education Lviv National Medical University.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a diagnostic and therapeutic algorithm for gastroesophageal reflux disease complicated by Barrett's esophagus in 46 patients.

Materials And Methods: A diagnostic and therapeutic algorithm for complicated GERD was developed. To describe the changes in the esophagus with reflux esophagitis, the Los Angeles classification was used. Read More

Gastroenterology 2017 03;152(4):706-715

Divison of Gastroenterology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Background & Aims: The purpose of this review is to evaluate the risks associated with long-term use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), focusing on long-term use of PPIs for three common indications: gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Barrett's esophagus (BE), and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) bleeding prophylaxis.

Methods: The recommendations outlined in this review are based on expert opinion and on relevant publications from PubMed, EMbase, and the Cochrane library (through July 2016). To identify relevant ongoing trials, we queried clinicaltrials. Read More

World J Gastroenterol 2017 Jan;23(2):318-327

Masahiro Sakaguchi, Department of Gastroenterology, Moriguchi Keijinkai Hospital, Osaka 570-0021, Japan.

Aim: To assess the clinical characteristics of patients with complicated erosive esophagitis (EE) and their associated factors.

Methods: This prospective, cross-sectional study included patients diagnosed with EE by upper gastrointestinal endoscopy between October 2014 and March 2015 at 106 Japanese hospitals. Data on medical history, general condition, gastrointestinal symptoms, lifestyle habits, comorbidities, and endoscopic findings were collected using a standard form to create a dedicated database. Read More

Free Radic Biol Med 2017 03 3;104:75-103. Epub 2017 Jan 3.

Department of Physiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Valencia, Burjasot, 46100 Valencia, Spain. Electronic address:

Redox signaling regulates physiological self-renewal, proliferation, migration and differentiation in gastrointestinal epithelium by modulating Wnt/β-catenin and Notch signaling pathways mainly through NADPH oxidases (NOXs). In the intestine, intracellular and extracellular thiol redox status modulates the proliferative potential of epithelial cells. Furthermore, commensal bacteria contribute to intestine epithelial homeostasis through NOX1- and dual oxidase 2-derived reactive oxygen species (ROS). Read More

Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 2017 04 5;14(4):230-240. Epub 2017 Jan 5.

Leeds Gastroenterology Institute, Level 4, Bexley Wing, St James's University Hospital, Beckett Street Leeds, LS9 7TF, UK.

Helicobacter pylori is an important human pathogen, associated with a substantial burden from both malignant and non-malignant diseases. The bacterium is classed as a human carcinogen, being strongly linked with gastric cancer, the third most common cause of cancer death worldwide and is also associated with common conditions such as dyspepsia and peptic ulcer. Eradication of H. Read More

Br J Cancer 2016 Nov 25;115(11):1383-1390. Epub 2016 Oct 25.

Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, NIH, DHHS, Rockville, MD 20850, USA.

Background: The absolute risk of oesophageal adenocarcinoma (EA) among individuals with Barrett's oesophagus (BE) is low and a majority of EA cases are diagnosed among individuals with no prior BE diagnosis. To ensure that insights from EA case-control studies are transferable to clinical management of BE populations, we conducted a case-case study to compare the clinical presentation, medical history and survival of EA cases with and without a prior BE diagnosis in the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results Medicare database.

Methods: Eligible EA cases were diagnosed at age ⩾68 years during 1994-2009. Read More

Ann Surg 2018 Jan;267(1):99-104

Esophageal and Digestive Tract Surgical Unit, Regional Centre for Oesophageal Disease, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV IRCCS, Padova, Italy.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate trends in patients' characteristics and comorbidities in esophageal cancer (EC) patients.

Background: Identifying changing pattern is essential to understand and predict further changes and to plan surgical procedures and resource allocation.

Methods: Trends in patients' characteristics and comorbidities were evaluated in 4440 EC patients at the Center for Esophageal Diseases in Padova, Italy, during 1980 to 2011. Read More

Clin J Gastroenterol 2016 Aug 2;9(4):191-202. Epub 2016 Jul 2.

Department of Gastroenterology and Oncology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University Graduate School, Tokushima, Japan.

A recent increase in the rate of obesity as a result of insufficient physical exercise and excess food consumption has been seen in both developed and developing countries throughout the world. Additionally, the recent increased number of obese individuals with lifestyle-related diseases associated with abnormalities in glucose metabolism, dyslipidemia, and hypertension, defined as metabolic syndrome (MS), has been problematic. Although MS has been highlighted as a risk factor for ischemic heart disease and arteriosclerotic diseases, it was also recently shown to be associated with digestive system disorders, including upper gastrointestinal diseases. Read More

Surg Obes Relat Dis 2016 Jun 14;12(5):1116-25. Epub 2016 Apr 14.

Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Electronic address:

Background: The necessity of routine preoperative esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) before bariatric surgery is controversial. European guidelines recommend routine EGD while North American guidelines recommend a selective approach.

Objective: Perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the proportion and scope of clinical findings discovered at preoperative EGD. Read More

Digestion 2016 14;93(1):24-31. Epub 2016 Jan 14.

Division of Digestive Endoscopy, Shiga University of Medical Science Hospital, Shiga, Japan.

Background: The prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) has increased in Japan since the end of the 20th century due to changes in environmental factors, such as a decreased infection rate of Helicobacter pylori and increased ability of acid secretion in the Japanese population. In 2013, the Japanese health insurance system started to cover eradication treatment for all patients infected with H. pylori to prevent gastric cancer, suggesting we may soon be able to completely eradicate this infection in Japan. Read More

Yonsei Med J 2015 Nov;56(6):1566-71

Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.

Purpose: During sedated esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), patients may not be able to perform inspiration, which is necessary to examine the esophagogastric junction. Therefore sedation may affect diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux-related findings. The aim of our study was to investigate the effect of sedation on diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux-related findings during EGD. Read More

Rev Esp Enferm Dig 2015 Jul;107(7):408-12

Introduction: Given the difficulty in accessing to the excluded stomach after gastric bypass and the increase in gastroesophageal reflux after sleeve gastrectomy, it is justified to perform a preoperative fibrogastroscopy.The influence of the fibrogastroscopy (FGS) findings in the therapeutic approach is analyzed.

Patients And Methods: A retrospective study of preoperative FGS findings is performed, from 04/06 to 12/12. Read More

BMJ 2015 Jun 24;350:h3169. Epub 2015 Jun 24.

Upper Gastrointestinal Surgery, Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Norra Stationsgatan 67, 171 76, Stockholm, Sweden Section of Gastrointestinal Cancer, Division of Cancer Studies, King's College London, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London SE1 7EH, UK

J Pak Med Assoc 2015 May;65(5):532-41

Department of Gastroenterologist, Sindh Institute of Urology & Transplantation, Karachi.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is the most common acid-related disorder encountered during clinical practice in Pakistan and is associated with significant impairment of health-related quality of life. A number of guidelines and recommendations for the diagnosis and management of GERD have been published in different countries, but a Pakistani accepted directive by the standards of evidence-based medicine is still lacking. Our aim was to create an understanding of the natural history and presentations of reflux disease; evaluating possible treatment options available for the patients with complex and uncomplicated reflux ailments with the development of current and up to date evidence based endorsement, relevant to the needs of Pakistani health care providers in order to treat oesophageal manifestations of GERD. Read More

Dig Dis Sci 2015 Sep 11;60(9):2654-61. Epub 2015 Apr 11.

Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka City University, 1-4-7 Asahimachi, Abenoku, Osaka, 545-8585, Japan,

Background: Barrett's esophagus (BE) is characterized by a distinct Th2-predominant cytokine profile. However, antigens that shift the immune response toward the Th2 profile are unknown.

Aim: We examined the effects of rebamipide on the esophageal microbiome and BE development in a rat model. Read More

Ann Thorac Surg 2015 Jan;99(1):331-3

Northwick Park and St Mark's Hospitals, London, United Kingdom. Electronic address:

Spontaneous esophageal perforation of a Barrett's ulcer is a rare condition that is associated with high morbidity and mortality. It occurs as a result of a missed diagnosis of underlying Barrett's esophagus or because of unresponsiveness to medical management. Owing to the life-threatening nature of this disease, emergency surgical intervention is indicated. Read More

Zhonghua Nei Ke Za Zhi 2014 Jul;53(7):517-20

Department of Gastroenterology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China.

Objective: To explore the clinical significance of typical reflux symptoms in the diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Methods: Consecutive patients older than 16 years, who initially visited department of gastroenterology at clinic of Peking University Third Hospital from May 9, 2012 to Dec 31, 2012, were required to complete a self-reported GERD questionnaire. Upper endoscopy was performed in some selected patients. Read More

Przegl Lek 2014 ;71(4):204-9

Introduction: Endoscopic examination of the upper gastrointestinal tract (upper GI) with macroscopic and histopathological evaluation provides essential tool to differentiate the organic and functional causes of dyspepsia. The distinction, however, is often smooth and not fully defined. The aim of this study was to assess the frequency and type of the macroscopic and histopathological changes in the upper GI endoscopy in patients with symptoms of dyspepsia. Read More

Gastroenterology 2014 Jul 27;147(1):e16-7. Epub 2014 May 27.

Serviço de Gastrenterologia, Hospital Beatriz Ângelo, Loures, Portugal.

Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2015 Jan 26;13(1):84-90. Epub 2014 Mar 26.

Institute for Technology Assessment, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.

Background & Aims: Endoscopic intervention or pharmacologic inhibition of cyclooxygenase might be used to prevent progression of Barrett's esophagus (BE) to esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC). We investigated whether patients with BE prefer endoscopic therapy or chemoprevention of EAC.

Methods: Eighty-one subjects with nondysplastic BE were given a survey that described 2 scenarios. Read More

Am J Gastroenterol 2014 Apr 4;109(4):527-34. Epub 2014 Mar 4.

Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, Belfast, Northern Ireland.

Objectives: Risk stratification of Barrett's esophagus (BE) patients based on clinical and endoscopic features may help to optimize surveillance practice for esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) development. The aim of this study was to investigate patient symptoms and endoscopic features at index endoscopy and risk of neoplastic progression in a large population-based cohort of BE patients.

Methods: A retrospective review of hospital records relating to incident BE diagnosis was conducted in a subset of patients with specialized intestinal metaplasia from the Northern Ireland BE register. Read More

Obes Surg 2014 Apr;24(4):645-6

Department and Institute: Bariatric Unit, Sunderland Royal Hospital, Kayll Road, Sunderland, SR4 7TP, UK,

Obes Surg 2014 Apr;24(4):643-4

General Surgery, Advanced Biomedical Sciences Department, "Federico II" University, Naples, Italy,

Postgrad Med 2014 Jan;126(1):87-96

University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA.

Aspirin, used at low doses (75-325 mg daily), prevents aggregation of platelets and is prescribed for patients as pharmacologic prevention of cardiovascular disease. Despite the well-documented beneficial effects of aspirin, prolonged use is associated with damage to the gastrointestinal (GI) mucosa in the upper and lower GI tract. Patient risk of hemorrhage and peptic ulcer formation is increased with older age, previous ulcer history, Helicobacter pylori infection, and concomitant use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids, or antithrombotic agents. Read More

Clin Exp Rheumatol 2013 Mar-Apr;31(2 Suppl 76):57-63. Epub 2013 Jul 22.

University of California Medical Center, Los Angeles, USA.

Objectives: UCLA-SCTC-GIT 2.0 is an instrument designed to evaluate gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms in systemic sclerosis (SSc). The objective of our study was to assess the associations between the upper GI (UGI) symptom scales (reflux and distention/bloating [D/B] scales) versus objective/laboratory studies. Read More

Gastrointest Endosc 2013 Aug;78(2):216-24

Dig Dis Sci 2013 Aug 4;58(8):2253-60. Epub 2013 Jul 4.

Gastroenterology Service, Department of Medicine, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, 8901 Wisconsin Ave., Bethesda, MD 20889, USA.

Background: The mainstay of medical therapy for Barrett's esophagus is normalization of esophageal acid exposure with proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). However, the optimal dose and whether once daily or twice daily is required for acid suppression is unknown.

Aim: The purpose of this study was to assess whether adequate intra-esophageal acid suppression could be achieved with once daily versus twice daily omeprazole in patients with gastroesophageal specialized intestinal metaplasia (GEJSIM), short-segment (SSBE) and long-segment Barrett's esophagus (LSBE). Read More

Hum Immunol 2013 Sep 24;74(9):1161-9. Epub 2013 Jun 24.

Department of Pathophysiology, Medical Faculty, Masaryk University Brno, Czech Republic.

Objectives: Gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) is a one of the major public health problem that can lead to reflux esophagitis (RE), Barrett's esophagus (BE), and esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC). The aim of our study was to determine the impact of IL-1 gene polymorphisms on the development of GERD, RE and BE.

Methods: Three hundred and thirty-three Czech patients with gastroesophageal reflux and 165 healthy controls were included in this case-control study. Read More

Dis Esophagus 2014 May-Jun;27(4):362-7. Epub 2013 Jun 24.

Swedish Cancer Institute, Seattle, Washington.

Endoscopic therapy (ablation +/- endoscopic resection) for high-grade dysplasia and/or intramucosal carcinoma (IMC) of the esophagus has demonstrated promising results. However, there is a concern that a curable, local disease may progress to systemic disease with repeated endotherapy. We performed a retrospective review of patients who underwent esophagectomy after endotherapy at three tertiary care esophageal centers from 2006 to 2012. Read More

J Clin Gastroenterol 2013 Nov-Dec;47(10):857-60

*Yale University School of Medicine, Section of Digestive Diseases §Yale School of Public Health, Center for Analytical Sciences; New Haven ‡VA Connecticut Healthcare System, Section of Digestive Diseases, West Haven, CT †Minnesota Gastroenterology Group, Minneapolis, MN ∥Section of Gastroenterology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL.

Background: Oblique-viewing echoendoscopes may miss luminal lesions. There is no consensus on whether to routinely perform esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) before endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS). Currently, practice patterns are variable and prospective data are needed. Read More

Arkh Patol 2012 Nov-Dec;74(6):3-7

The histological features and morphogenesis of acute peptic mucosal lesions in gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) were studied using 2220 biopsy specimens obtained from 669 patients. The stages of their development and two variants of their healing, which affected the duration and outcome of the disease, were identified. Acute erosions and ulcers in the laminated squamous and cylindrical epithelial areas were shown to be a natural stage of changes that preceded the development of Barrett esophagus and promoted its progression. Read More

Int J Clin Exp Pathol 2013 15;6(2):191-8. Epub 2013 Jan 15.

Department of Pathology, Shizuoka City Shimizu Hospital Shizuoka, Japan.

The author reviewed 910 cases of consecutive esophageal biopsies in the last 15 year in the pathology laboratory of our hospital. There were 693 normal mucosa and benign lesions (76.2%) and 217 malignant lesions (23. Read More

Saudi Med J 2012 Dec;33(12):1324-9

Gastroenterology Department, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China.

Objective: To detect Barrett`s esophagus (BE) prevalence in patients undergoing gastroscopy in Eastern China.

Methods: This study was carried out in Drum Tower Hospital Affiliated Medical College of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China from January 2005 to January 2012. All BE patients were enrolled in the study. Read More

South Med J 2012 Nov;105(11):613-8

Department of Gastroenterology, University of Connecticut, Farmington, CT 06030, USA.

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are one of the most commonly prescribed classes of medications in the United States. By inhibiting gastric H/K adenosine triphosphatase via covalent binding to the cysteine residues of the proton pump, they provide the most potent acid suppression available. Long-term PPI use accounts for the majority of total PPI use. Read More

Surg Today 2013 Aug 31;43(8):831-7. Epub 2012 Oct 31.

Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Kanazawa University Hospital, 13-1 Takara-machi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, 920-8641, Japan.

Gastro-duodenal content reflux from gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) induces the inflammation-metaplasia-dysplasia-adenocarcinoma sequence. Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are potent blockers of gastric acid secretion, which are widely used for treating GERD and peptic ulcer-associated acid-secreting diseases. The effect of PPI therapy on esophageal carcinogenesis remains unclear. Read More

Korean J Gastroenterol 2012 Oct;60(4):219-23

Department of Internal Medicine, SAM Anyang Hospital, Anyang, Korea.

Background/aims: The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence of Barrett's esophagus (BE) and its association with reflux esophagitis (RE) and peptic ulcer disease detected by free charge endoscopy which was covered by the National Health Insurance at a secondary care hospital, and to compare the results of the biopsy of BE with that of cardiac intestinal metaplasia (CIM).

Methods: A total of 4,002 patients underwent endoscopy from March 2010 to December 2012. BE was diagnosed if there was histologically proven specialized intestinal metaplasia, and CIM was diagnosed if intestinal metaplasia was accompanied with chronic gastritis. Read More

Korean J Gastroenterol 2012 Oct;60(4):195-218

Department of Internal Medicine, Ewha Womans University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.

In 2010, a Korean guideline for the management of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) was made by the Korean Society of Neurogastroenterology and Motility, in which the definition and diagnosis of GERD were not included. The aim of this guideline was to update the clinical approach to the diagnosis and management of GERD in adult patients. This guideline was developed by the adaptation process of the ADAPTE framework. Read More

Surg Clin North Am 2012 Oct;92(5):1155-67

Department of Surgery, Keck School of Medicine, The University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA.

Barrett esophagus surveillance programs and more liberal use of upper endoscopy are leading to the identification of more patients with high-grade dysplasia or early stage esophageal adenocarcinoma. These patients have several options for therapy, including endoscopic mucosal resection, vagal-sparing esophagectomy, and a combination of endoscopic resection and ablation. Factors that should be considered include the length of the Barrett segment, the presence of a nodule or ulcer within the Barrett segment, and the age and overall physical condition of the patient. Read More

World J Gastroenterol 2012 Jul;18(27):3483-91

Department of Surgery, North Tyneside General Hospital, North Shields, Tyne and Wear NE29 8NH, United Kingdom.

The natural history of Barrett's esophagus (BE) is difficult to quantify because, by definition, it should describe the course of the condition if left untreated. Pragmatically, we assume that patients with BE will receive symptomatic treatment with acid suppression, usually a proton pump inhibitor, to treat their heartburn. This paper describes the development of complications of stricture, ulcer, dysplasia and adenocarcinoma from this standpoint. Read More

Neth J Med 2012 Jun;70(5):222-6

Department of Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology, Zaans Medisch Centrum, Zaandam, the Netherlands.

Introduction: Upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy is increasingly applied in daily practice. Not many data are available on yearly changes in diagnostic yield, nor on changes in morbidity.

Aim: To study the possible changes in occurrence of abnormalities in the oesophagus, stomach and duodenum. Read More

Histopathology 2012 Nov 20;61(5):795-800. Epub 2012 Jun 20.

Department of Cellular Pathology, Warwick Hospital, Warwick, UK.

Aims: To compare the diagnostic accuracy of conventional versus virtual microscopy for the diagnosis of Barrett's neoplasia.

Methods And Results: Sixty-one biopsies from 35 ASPirin Esomeprazole ChemopreventionTrial (AspECT) trial patients were given a Barrett's neoplasia score (1-5) by a panel of five pathologists using conventional microscopy. Thirty-three biopsies positive for neoplasia were digitized and rescored blindly by virtual microscopy. Read More

J Pediatr Surg 2012 Jun;47(6):e9-13

Paediatric Surgical Center of Amsterdam, Emma Children's Hospital and VU University Medical Center, 1007 MB Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a relatively new condition resulting in dysphagia or symptoms resembling gastroesophageal reflux disease, symptoms that also are common in patients with a history of esophageal atresia. We present 2 patients with persistent dysphagia after repair of esophageal atresia that was caused by EoE. Although the exact etiology and pathogenesis of EoE remain unclear, it is now generally accepted that it is the result of a T-helper cell 2-type immune response with a crucial role for the eosinophil-specific chemotaxis factor eotaxin 3 and eosinophils. Read More

Scand J Gastroenterol 2012 Jul 23;47(7):751-61. Epub 2012 Apr 23.

Spanish Centre for Pharmacoepidemiologic Research-CEIFE, Madrid, Spain.

Objective: Up to one-third of patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in primary care have residual symptoms despite proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy. We aimed to characterize partial response to PPIs among adult patients in UK primary care.

Material And Methods: Newly diagnosed GERD patients aged 20-79 years who were prescribed PPI for treatment of GERD were identified in The Health Improvement Network. Read More